Got our chance to test on Thursday arvo, after the Source workshop had cured the gearbox ills, and gave it some drivetrain again. Scotty and Rob have been busy playing with fiddly stuff too, adding an external isolation kill-switch that operates the usual dash-mounted switch from outside the car. This is to allow the battery to be manually isolated from the ignition in case of an accident or fire. Hopefully we will never use it!
Scotty hit the track to bed in the new two-piece front discs, and heat-cycle the tyres. The car looked settled, and he was able to easily reel off high 63 second laps. Back in the pits, the tyres were consistently scrubbed and at an even temperature. Out with the old pads and in with new, evened out the tyre pressures and sent him back out. Another five laps saw mid-low 63s, and Scott played with different lines to unsettle it. Back in, I pumped the pressures up to 40psi (from 35) and gave him another run. High 62, then low 62, then mid 61secs, and the car still looked at ease. I felt no need to drive it, as I was gaining more info from watching it around the track, and Scott Schumacher was making it look pretty easy.
This is the fastest time for this car so far, and on medium compound tyres, with weight in the boot. The gearbox performed fine, and the tyres and brakes are settling in OK. This is now some 2.5 secs faster around Baskerville than proir to Rally Tas, and whilst that doesn't necessarily apply directly to a rally stage, the car is infinitely easer to place on the road. So we are much more confident in its improved pace.
This weekend will be spent tidying up the little things, and loading up for Mondays drive North.
And how to make it Quick? Let the mechanic drive it!!!!!
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